Mountain biking

4X World Championship 2014 - Leogang, Austria

Saturday 14th of June will see the start gate drop on the 2014 4X World Championships in Leogang, Austria for what is set to be one of the best championships to date. With a record number of entries, revamped track and the strongest field in years, Leogang will be the place to be on Saturday. Apart from regular contenders for the win, the UK is sending impressive number of 12 riders in total to win fame in Austria. For British Cycling, the talent pool of 4X riders in the UK is all time high, so just simply selecting the team has been a challenge itself. Let's have a closer look at those 4X hopefuls.

13. 6. 2014

Women Riders

On the UK women's team, there are several medal contenders and all picked are capable of a top 10 finish. The queen of British 4X, Katy Curd, is racing in Leogang with one simple goal; to become 4X World Champion. The 2013 4X ProTour Champion is in great form after taking the win last weekend at Fort William 4X ProTour, and she will be focused on the challenge that awaits her this weekend.

Katy Curd

Cara Murray is in the form of her life, winning both rounds of British 4X so far this year and with the experience she gained last year at Leogang, she is looking towards a great result this weekend.

Heather Kay will be a new name to international 4X racing this weekend, but don't be surprised if she makes it to the final. A regular on British 4X podiums, we expect Heather to be flying this weekend. Liz Fowler will also make her international 4X debut this weekend. The talented 4X rider is more at home on big jumps than smaller tracks so the impressive Leogang track will really suit her too.

Cara Murray

Clare Curtis is the ambassador for female British 4X racing and she has been responsible for the surge in popularity of female 4X racing over the last 12 months. It is great to see her on the team and again she will be looking for a strong top 10 finish after her 4th place ride last weekend in Fort William.

Men Riders

The men's team is without doubt the strongest lineup team the UK has fielded in recent years. Scott Beaumont has been a member of the British 4X team more or less every year since the 4X began. A regular podium visitor in the 4X ProTour, a 4X World Championship medal is something still missing in his trophy cabinet. He is in the form of his life and after a 3rd place in Fort William last weekend, Scott is one of the favorites to lift the World Champion title in Leogang.

Scott Beaumont

Lewis Lacey also enters the World Championships as one of the favorites not just podium, but win. Lewis has podiumed at 2 rounds of the 4X ProTour so far this year and his confidence is at an all time high. Lewis will be gunning for a top result this weekend.

Lewis Lacey (in front)

Nathan Parsons has suffered some bad luck in racing this year but his speed is a force to be reckoned with. Qualifying in the top 10 consistently at 4X ProTour races, Nathan can and should easily hit the top 10 in Leogang.

Nathan Parsons

Luke Cryer has been a revelation so far in 2014. As an elite rookie just moving up from juniors, Luke has been turning heads all year. With style and flair on the bike, Luke spends a lot of his time in the air going sideways, a trait that will help on the huge Leogang track. Expect a top 10 from Luke in his first World Champs.

Luke Cryer

Duncan Ferris is one of the most experienced 4X riders in the UK, but he has always just missed out on qualification for the World Championships team. That changed in a big way this year as Duncan easily met the criteria for selection. A great racer who can make passes from the most unusual positions. Don't expect Duncan to lead all his races, but expect him to make the best passes of the night.

Duncan Ferris (in front)

Dave Richardson will also make his British 4X team debut in Leogang. After a couple of years of international experience at 4X ProTour races, Dave again raised his game in 2014 and met the criteria for the team. Much like Duncan, Dave is a racer, so don't panic if he's not leading every race. A pass from him will be coming just around the next corner!

Dave Richardson